21.   Saddam earlier refused to open the palaces, citing national sovereignty.

22.   Saddam had earlier refused to open the palaces, citing national sovereignty.

23.   The council took such a move last year after Baghdad refused to allow inspectors access to presidential palaces, which Iraq ruled off limits citing its sovereignty.

24.   The palaces are among the eight that Iraq had long kept off-limits from weapons inspectors, citing national sovereignty.

25.   The palaces are among the eight that Iraq had kept off-limits from inspectors, citing national sovereignty.

26.   The United States and Britain had threatened military action after Baghdad refused U.N. inspectors access citing its sovereignty.